Our Policy
The concern of Bernhardt Design for the environment has many manifestations. Family-owned and operated since 1889, we care about the health and welfare of our employees and of our customers. It is our corporate mission to contribute to the future quality of life and to conserve our resources. Our commitment to the environment, clean air, recycling, and waste reduction is demonstrated in the materials we select as well as in the processes in our factories.

We use no endangered rainforest wood species and use only woods harvested in accordance with CITIES (Convention on International Trade and Endangered Species). The woods and veneers we use in seating and casegoods are purchased from companies who practice sustainable forestry, including selective harvesting and aggressive reforestation.

Composition board, which includes particleboard and medium density fiberboard (MDF), comprises approximately 70% by weight of our casegoods products and is made of post-industrial recycled sawdust and wood chips. The aluminum die-castings and nylon thermoplastics that we purchase contain 25% recycled content, on average.

Some of the worst threats to clean air - HAPS (Hazardous Air Pollutants) and TVOC's (Total Volatile Organic Compounds) - can be found in finishing materials as well as in glues and composite materials. Bernhardt Design's finishes are high-solid finishes with low TVOC's and trace formaldehyde. The ultraviolet finishes used on our casegoods contain no formaldehyde. Our adhesives are water-based with minimal formaldehyde.

Bernhardt Design works diligently to minimize waste. In 2004, we recycled over 180 tons of cardboard and 50,000 pounds of paper. Aluminum and scrap steel are also recycled. All of our plants generate scrap wood, which is recycled as fuel.

In order to further eliminate waste, we ship many of our products in reusable blanket wrapping which minimizes the raw materials used for packing materials and reduces the amount of material for landfill disposal.

In addition, we are initiating the testing process for Greenguard designation to consolidate our various environmental activities. Bernhardt Design is adopting the EFEC (Enhancing Furniture's Environmental Culture) program, an environmental management system developed specifically for the furniture industry. This program will include a complete environmental analysis of all facilities and processes, employee education and training, supplier partnerships and annual audits by a certified EFEC auditor to insure that our environmental performance meets pre-determined standards.